Rusk County, Wisconsin Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WI
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 37th
Rusk County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 37.3, 37th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $10M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Rusk County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 37.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 37th national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
The county's risk is driven primarily by cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 8.74 events per year; lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Low risk — $192K in expected annual loss and about 32.52 events per year; and riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Low risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 0.29 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $10M in expected annual loss for a population of 14K.
Beyond physical exposure, Rusk County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
The federal record bears this out: Rusk County has received 12 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 4 for flood events and 3 for severe storm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in April 2020.
Among 72 Wisconsin counties, Rusk County ranks #59 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | Medium | 8.74 / yr | $4M |
| Lightning | Low | 32.52 / yr | $192K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.29 / yr | $5M |
| Hail | Low | 2.28 / yr | $159K |
| Drought | Low | 2.82 / yr | $35K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.28 / yr | $589K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 16.58 / yr | $28K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.63 / yr | $112K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.83 / yr | $222K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.26 / yr | $16K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.17 / yr | $20 |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $2K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $2K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Rusk County has received 12 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in April 2020. Most frequent causes: Flood (4), Severe Storm (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| August 2019 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| September 2002 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding |
| May 2001 | Flood | Flooding, Severe Storms and Tornadoes |
| June 2000 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| August 1999 | Flood | Wi-Flood-07/20/99 |
| July 1993 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding |
| October 1977 | Severe Storm | Winds, Hail & Rain |
Showing the 10 most recent of 12 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Rusk County?
Rusk County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 37.3 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 37th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Rusk County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (Medium, $4M EAL), Lightning (Low, $192K EAL), Riverine Flood (Low, $5M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Rusk County compare to other Wisconsin counties?
Rusk County ranks #59 of 72 Wisconsin counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Rusk County had?
FEMA records 12 federal disaster declarations for Rusk County since 1973, most often 4 for flood events and 3 for severe storm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic, declared in April 2020.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Rusk County's $10M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.